Cleveland Clinic Concussion Center vs Cognitive FX: Which Fits Lingering Symptoms?

The Cleveland Clinic Concussion Center offers concussion care at 13 locations in Northeast Ohio, with next-day consultations at its Family Health and Specialty Centers and virtual visits, using a multidisciplinary approach.^1,2 Cleveland Clinic cites studies estimating that about 15% of people with a concussion develop post-concussion syndrome, a diagnosis providers commonly use when symptoms last longer than three months.³ Cognitive FX in Provo, Utah, treats adults with those lingering symptoms in one or two intensive weeks. If your injury is recent or you want insurance-covered care in Ohio, Cleveland Clinic is a strong place to start. If you have already had standard care and still struggle, Cognitive FX may fit. Cognitive FX is not affiliated with Cleveland Clinic.

What do Cleveland Clinic and Cognitive FX offer?

The two programs overlap a lot. Both test thinking, memory and balance, both use vestibular and vision therapy, gradual exercise and counseling, and both can order a standard MRI and prescribe medication.^3,4 Cleveland Clinic also developed its own concussion app, C3, which compares balance, reaction time, memory and vision after an injury with baseline and normative data.^4,8

The chart shows three main differences. Cleveland Clinic uses CT or MRI to rule out more serious injury and notes that conventional imaging does not detect concussions.⁴ Cognitive FX adds a functional brain scan before and after treatment, which we use to plan therapy rather than to diagnose. Cognitive FX delivers its therapies in one or two intensive weeks, while Cleveland Clinic provides outpatient care at its Ohio locations. And Cleveland Clinic accepts a variety of insurance plans, while Cognitive FX is out-of-network.⁶

Which should you choose, Cleveland Clinic or Cognitive FX?

Neither program is right for everyone. The Concussion Center team includes sports medicine physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, athletic trainers, vestibular therapists and neuro-ophthalmologists.¹ Cognitive FX is a smaller private clinic that specializes in adults whose concussion symptoms have lasted months.

Cleveland Clinic is usually the better choice if:

• Your concussion happened in the last few weeks.
• You live in Northeast Ohio, so visits at one of its 13 locations are easy.
• You want care billed to your health insurance.⁶
• You are an athlete who needs baseline testing, return-to-play guidance or care from a sports concussion team.

Cognitive FX is usually the better choice if:

• Your concussion or mild TBI was more than three months ago and your symptoms still limit daily life.
• You have brain fog, fatigue, headaches, trouble with screens or feel overwhelmed in busy places.
• You have tried rest, medication or weekly therapy without enough benefit.
• Your scans came back normal, but you still have symptoms.
• You can travel to Provo for a week and pay out of pocket.

How does each program evaluate lingering symptoms?

At Cleveland Clinic, evaluation can include a physical and neurological exam, the ImPACT computer test, the C3 app, balance and reaction-time tests, neuropsychological assessment, and CT or MRI to rule out more serious head injury.^3,4 Cleveland Clinic recommends baseline testing for athletes before contact-sport seasons, so results after an injury can be compared with it.⁴

At Cognitive FX, you start with a short online questionnaire (about 10 minutes), then a consult call with our team. Your treatment week begins with an fNCI scan, a functional MRI that measures how 56 brain regions work while you do thinking tasks and compares them with a healthy reference group. The scan is not a diagnosis on its own. We use it with your history and other tests to decide which therapies you need and how hard to push each one.

The 3D model below shows what an fNCI scan measures, using sample results on a model brain. Red shows regions working harder than a healthy reference group and blue shows regions working less. Drag or swipe to rotate it, and switch between the sample patients. It is an illustration, not your scan or a diagnosis.

How does treatment work at each program?

Cleveland Clinic treats post-concussion syndrome by symptom. Its health library lists a nerve block for some headaches, careful use of pain medicines, nausea medicines, sleep support, vestibular physical therapy, vision therapy, speech-language therapy to retrain affected abilities, care from a psychologist or psychiatrist trained in concussion, and gentle exercise such as a stationary bike or a slow walk.³ Its traumatic brain injury team adds physical, occupational and speech therapy and counseling.⁵ Care happens in outpatient visits over time.

Cognitive FX puts the therapy into one or two weeks. You spend full days at our clinic, about 9 to 5, moving through therapies in a cycle of exercise, targeted therapy and rest. Every therapist works from the same scan report and checks in with the rest of the team at the end of each day. The week is demanding, and many patients feel more tired while it is underway.

Our program does not fit everyone who still has symptoms. If you have a new injury that needs checking, or you need care that insurance will pay for, Cleveland Clinic or your own doctor is the better place to start. Our program works alongside your doctors and does not replace their follow-up.

• 

  Dr. Alina K. Fong, PhDClinical Director

• 

  Dr. Lynn M. Gaufin, MDDirector of Neurosurgery

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  Annie Morgan, RNDirector of Patient Care

Plus other therapists as needed. Meet the full team

What does the research say?

In an independent study by Amsterdam UMC and UMC Groningen, 77% of the 52 patients measured six months after treatment had a clinically meaningful reduction in symptoms.⁹ The study was observational, not randomized, and individual results vary. Read our summary of the independent study.

Cleveland Clinic says the outlook for post-concussion syndrome is generally good and that most people eventually recover, though in rare cases symptoms can last years.³

How much do Cleveland Clinic and Cognitive FX cost?

Cleveland Clinic does not publish a package price for concussion care. It accepts a variety of insurance plans at all of its locations, and out-of-network plans can mean higher out-of-pocket costs.⁶ You can ask for a cost estimate when you schedule, and Cleveland Clinic notes that the final cost may vary with the care you receive.⁷ If you live outside Ohio, add travel for visits.

At Cognitive FX:

• fNCI scan: $1,500, credited toward treatment if you continue
• One week of treatment: $13,000, both scans included
• Two weeks of treatment: $24,700, when our team recommends it

We are out-of-network and do not bill insurance. After treatment you get a superbill to submit yourself, and reimbursement depends on your plan. We accept CareCredit, HSA and FSA. Travel and lodging are not included, and most patients fly in to Provo. If cost decides it for you, insurance-covered care at Cleveland Clinic or a clinic near you is a reasonable place to start.

Related reading: UPMC vs Cognitive FX and Mayo Clinic vs Cognitive FX.

Frequently asked questions about Cleveland Clinic and Cognitive FX

Does Cleveland Clinic treat post-concussion syndrome?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic lists post-concussion syndrome among the brain injuries its traumatic brain injury team treats. Its health library lists options such as a nerve block for some headaches, careful use of pain and nausea medicines, vestibular and vision therapy, speech-language therapy, behavioral health care and gentle exercise.

How long does post-concussion syndrome last, according to Cleveland Clinic?

Cleveland Clinic says providers commonly use the diagnosis when symptoms last longer than three months, that studies estimate about 15% of people with a concussion experience it, and that the outlook is generally good, though in rare cases it can last years.

How do I make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Concussion Center?

Cleveland Clinic lists a toll-free line, 877.440.8326, and offers next-day concussion consultations at its Family Health and Specialty Centers, plus virtual visits.

Does insurance cover Cognitive FX?

Cognitive FX is out-of-network and does not bill insurance. After treatment we give you a superbill you can submit yourself. Reimbursement depends on your plan and is not guaranteed. We accept CareCredit, HSA and FSA.

How much does Cognitive FX cost compared with Cleveland Clinic?

At Cognitive FX, scans are $1,500 and a week of treatment is $13,000, with the before and after scans included. Two weeks are $24,700. Cleveland Clinic does not publish a package price for concussion care; it offers cost estimates, and your cost depends on your insurance.

Can I keep seeing my own doctors?

Yes. Our program works alongside your neurologist or primary care doctor and does not replace their follow-up.

Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic. Concussion Center. my.clevelandclinic.org
2. Cleveland Clinic. Concussion Center appointments and locations. my.clevelandclinic.org
3. Cleveland Clinic. Post-concussion syndrome (updated April 2023). my.clevelandclinic.org
4. Cleveland Clinic. Concussion Center diagnostics and testing. my.clevelandclinic.org
5. Cleveland Clinic. Traumatic brain injury treatment. my.clevelandclinic.org
6. Cleveland Clinic. Accepted insurance. my.clevelandclinic.org
7. Cleveland Clinic. Billing checklist. my.clevelandclinic.org
8. Cleveland Clinic. Concussion: comprehensive care and innovative research. my.clevelandclinic.org
9. van Doorn et al. Tijdschrift voor Neuropsychologie, 2024. Amsterdam UMC and UMC Groningen.

In an emergency, call 911.